Beneath Montana's Sky: A Montana Sky Novella

Plain and timid, debutante Pamela Burke-Smythe is a wallflower at the high-society Boston balls she attends, overlooked by possible suitors. One by one her friends become engaged, and Pamela resigns herself as to life as a spinster.

Montana Dawn: McCutcheon Family Series, Book 1

When Luke McCutcheon finds Faith Brown about to give birth in her rickety wagon, his first instincts are to ride for help. Instead, he stays and delivers a beautiful baby girl. Unable to leave the pretty young widow and her little son and newborn unprotected in the Montana wilderness, he brings them along on his family's cattle drive, to the absolute delight of the other friendly cowboys.

Where the Wind Blows: A Prairie Hearts Novel, Book 1

Chase Logan lives by no man’s leave, a solitary drifter who closed off his heart long ago - until the day he impulsively does a kindness for a beautiful young widow, and everything changes. For two years, Jessie Strong has dreamt of the day she could bring little Sarah home from the orphanage and call the child her own. But when her husband dies, Jessie fears the family she’s longed for is slipping away - until Chase Logan unexpectedly comes to her rescue. By pretending to be her husband, Chase can make all of her dreams come true.

Sourdough Creek

Cassie Angel is used to taking care of herself. With a spirit of adventure, and a need to stay out of harm's way, she departs a dying Nevada town for the golden opportunities that await in California - along with a new life. When charming Sam Ridgeway shows up, claiming to know her uncle, and offers her protection in her travels, she has no idea there is an ulterior motive involved.

Three and a Half Minutes

Workaholic Camille Ashland is at the top of her game. She has built a thriving business, is raising a lovely daughter, and lives in a newly decorated home. Her life is full until a heart attack and near-death experience change everything.

Sun River Brides: Mail Order Bride Box Set, Books 1-9

Immerse yourself in nine mail order bride stories in the Sun River Brides series. Come along for the ride to meet feisty Boston city girls who know what they want, and rugged Montana men who just need to be loved. It's 1900, and things are changing fast in sleepy Sun River. As the town begins to expand, its inhabitants are getting restless, looking for love and adventure.

The Rancher Takes a Cook: Texas Rancher Trilogy, Book 1

When their South Carolina home burns to the ground, Anna Stewart's only choice is to move with her younger brother to the wilds of a Texas ranch. Their prospects are beginning to look better, until the rancher's son, Jacob O'Brien, shows up with his alarmingly blue eyes to put a kink in Anna's well-controlled plans.

His Prairie Princess: Prairie Brides, Book 1

When Sadie Jones, the daughter of cattle baron Horatio Jones, set out on her own in search of her dying birth mother, she got more than she bargained for. She never dreamed the stage would be robbed and she herself taken along with the rest of the loot! After all, being kidnapped was the last thing on her mind that morning. Unfortunately it was the foremost thing that afternoon.

The Lady and the Mountain Man: Mountain Dreams, Book 1

Leah Townsend, a recently orphaned heiress, flees Richmond after discovering her fiancé's plot to kill her after their wedding. She needs a safe place to hide, and finds herself accepting a newspaper marriage proposal from a God-fearing young rancher in the Montana territory. But when Leah arrives at the mountain ranch, she learns her intended husband was killed by a grizzly, leaving behind a bitter older brother and a spunky younger sister.

Cora's Pride: Wilderness Brides, Book 1

Cora Miller is fiercely independent and stubborn to a fault. Betrayed more than once by men she thought she could trust, she's learned to rely only on herself. As the oldest of four siblings, she feels responsible for leading her family safely on the Oregon Trail for a new start. Nathaniel Wilder is no stranger to the hardships and dangers of the wilderness. Raised with his brothers by a trapper in the remote mountains, he left behind the mistakes he's made in the past.

The Christmas Mail Order Bride: Holiday Mail Order Brides, Book 1

Sheriff Clayton Riley asked for a pair of boots for Christmas, not a mail order bride! Unfortunately for Clayton, his brother and mother figured a bride would look better on him than a new pair of boots! After all, he'd been sulking around long enough after the death of his wife, and his family decided it was time to take matters into their own hands and see to it Clayton had a very merry Christmas!

The Hunter Bride: Hope's Crossing, Book 1

Five years ago, a band of outlaws murdered Josephine Shafter's parents and younger brother. Desperate for vengeance, Jo has spent every day since serving the law as a bounty hunter. But the trouble with justice served is that now that her family's killer has been brought in, she has nothing to do and no one to hunt. She decides it may be time for a new life and a fresh start. She longs for the arms of a strong man around her, and for a child of her own. But the Chicago dandies don't know how to kiss a woman who is tougher than they are.

Publisher's Summary

The well-educated daughter of a lawyer, Trudy Bauer arrives at the St. Louis based Mail-Order Brides of the West agency full of excitement for an adventure of a lifetime. She befriends the agency's maid, Evie Davenport, and the two form a strong and lasting friendship. They vow to stay in contact through letters when Evie takes hold of her destiny and arranges a marriage on the sly. Each brave young woman is ready to face whatever an unknown groom and life in Montana can throw her way.

In Holland's book, bride-to-be Trudy Bauer rides the train to Sweetwater Springs, in a Montana Sky Novel. In Fyffe's novel, house servant Evie Davenport travels by stagecoach to Y Knot, Montana in a McCutcheon Family Novel. Through their correspondence, the friends keep each other abreast of their hardships, trials, and tribulations - some of heartbreak, some of love.

Yes, because I really liked the story! It was well written and I loved the characters!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I fell in love with Trudy right away!! She was strong in her convictions to do the next right thing for her family and those around her and brave enough to take a chance in reaching her dream of love and happiness!

Which scene was your favorite?

When Seth realized he loved her and chased down the train to tell Trudy!! I loved that he made it clear that he was willing to go all the way home with Trudy until he convinced her to come back with him!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I just thoroughly enjoyed this story!! There were times I'd smile or chuckle and even a few times that were suspenseful and I'd find myself practically holding my breath! I just know by the end I was just like...awwwwe!! It left me feeling so good!

Any additional comments?

This was my first experience listening to an audio book and I was so pleasantly surprised. I never thought I'd like it but the narrator did a great job and I think this was the perfect story for my first try! I plan to listen to more of this series!!

Where does Mail-Order Brides of the West rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is at the top of my list of audiobooks. I loved everything about this story and how it was narrated. Being able to listen to the story I felt like I was right there in Montana with the characters in this story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Seth. He was such a guy. As women we think we have the market on doubts in relationships. Seth was funny with all his insecurities but he really meant to be a good husband, provider and protector for Trudy.

Which character – as performed by Lara Asmundson – was your favorite?

Trudy. Her voice seemed just right for this character's personality.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

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Any additional comments?

This was my first book by Debra Holland and I thoroughly enjoyed it and will read others by her. The story held my interest straight through to the end. The thing I really liked was when the H&H decided they loved each other the story didn't drag on and on with that. It happened and went on from there.

Where does Mail-Order Brides of the West rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's one of the best squeaky-clean western romances ranking up there with other tales from both Debra Holland and Caroline Phyffe!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Trudy was my favorite character. She was very mature and responsible having taken care of her sisters after her mother passed. She craved adventure and, in 1886 when this story is set, securing a husband in the wild west was her answer for attaining her dream for adventure!

What about Lara Asmundson’s performance did you like?

Lara Asmundson is the talented narrator for this book and she does an excellent job at bring the characters to life. She inserts pauses and emotion at the appropriate times. Her voice is very clear and well-paced to the tale. She has also been the narrator for two other Mail-Order Brides of the West books: Evie's and Heather's.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The author's descriptions place the reader in the story's setting, smelling the clean, crisp air and feasting upon the clear, starry Montana sky. The ending gave me the warm fuzzies and, thinking about it, still brings a smile to my face.

Any additional comments?

My full review including my favorite quotes from the tale has been posted at Reading Between The Wines Book Club.

Debra's writing, as always, is first rate. The story is well-paced. The characters are well-drawn. The romance is engaging and squeaky clean. I highly recommend MAIL-ORDER BRIDES OF THE WEST: TRUDY to anyone who enjoys charming, poignant western romances.

I loved the story from start to finish. I found myself listening very closely and very into the settings and characters. It was so nice to see two strangers meet and Marty and then take the time to get acquainted. Even though they waited for intimacy until they were ready and felt more for one another, the chemistry was there right from the start and simmered. Seth and Trudy feel like old friends of mine and I look forward to listening to more of Debra Holland's Mail Order Brides of Montana series.

What made the experience of listening to Mail-Order Brides of the West the most enjoyable?

Despite not physically reading the story which is a poor oversight on my part due to thinking this being a book that I would not like I have grossly misjudged this book until Ms. Debra Holland gifted it to me, making me really think to not judge books of this genre. Trudy decides to leave her safe sheltered haven to be a mail ordered bride and in doing so becomes the bride for Seth. I just loved Trudy from the get go she seemed like such a warm caring person who is not only brave but full of hope and dreams someone I could become friends with easily. Seth on the other hand yes he was the handsome strong silent introspective type but also had quite a few secrets for my taste since he is not totally honest with Trudy kind of bothered me which I couldn’t really understand him on one hand especially since there was such strong attraction between the two and could possibly destroy their fragile fledgling relationship.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Well besides Gertrude or Trudy the female heroine of course and is a given. Evie one of Trudy’s friends just intrigued me. Trudy and Evie want to remain friends even though both of them are being married have decided that they will always be friends also they give each other support even with their situations. Plus I just suspect that there is more to her than meets the eye.

What does Lara Asmundson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

For some reason it was easier to imagine the scenes the things that the characters do in everyday life but some of the hardships that they had to live through to survive was not only difficult to be a mail order bride but living on the American frontier. Also Ms. Lara Asmundson was able to bring such depth and different vocalizations for every single character that all the characters instantly came to life.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There are two parts of the book that really got to me. Seth has kept his saloon mistress that he thought he had feelings for before Trudy a secret but when they finally come to light and Trudy figures out that there was something between them that I really felt for Trudy and wanted to slap and beg for Trudy to please leave him and go home. The other one was the hidden physical secret abuse between Evie and Chance is hinted at and makes me eager to find out what exactly happens to Evie.

Any additional comments?

As I stated above that I received this audio book as a gift from the author herself. This was a wonderful book despite me not reading very many in this historical western romance genre but this was really a good story with strong wonderful characters whether they are major or minor Ms. Debra Holland really writes very well and I will definitely purchase more books whatever they may be.

Where does Mail-Order Brides of the West rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This books ranks right up at the top of my audio books.

What other book might you compare Mail-Order Brides of the West to and why?

I have no other books to which I might compare Trudy; this is the first western, female slanted book that I have read. Usually Westerns are male primary with a wink to females.

Which character – as performed by Lara Asmundson – was your favorite?

Trudy, of course, with a strong interest in Evie. Lara Asmundson made all characters very real to me. There seemed to be changes in voice and inflection for each of the characters and I say characters because even the men were different and real.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did laugh in several places in the book and I became very angry when Trudy got on the train and her husband just kissed her good bye. Then I cheered when he "borrowed" a horse and charged after her. I LOVED that they learned to like and then love before sex. The story left a LOT of space in my mind to finish this particular story in my mind; I do understand that as other BRIDES stories are told Trust's story will be filled out.

Any additional comments?

I have read and Loved Debra Holland's DREAM series and truly did not expect the quality of a different style of story to be as high; I was so wrong and I do apologise to this wonderful author. Thank you, Debra Holland.